Realistic Possibilities

Recently I had the pleasure of speaking with Stewart L.Levy, a partner in the New York City law firm of Eisenberg, Tanchum, & Levy (ETL), who are “dedicated to quality legal representation and counsel to the business, real estate, entertainment, and the financial communities.” Mr. Levy, a partner, specializes in all facets of the entertainment industry, and represents many recording artist, film stars, and athletes. The entertainment division of ETL has an emphasis on every aspect of IP, copyright and trademark matters within the entertainment and sporting community. Levy offered practical and theoretical knowledge, which I found very valuable to an up-and-coming entertainment professional, like myself.

Levy has been in the notable figure in the entertainment industry and has represented some very high profile clients. Currently, his clients range from wrestler Jeff Hardy to entertainment mogul Queen Latifah, and he even had the pleasure of representing the legendary Tu-Pac. He is filled with a wealth of knowledge that I was briefly able to tap into for expert legal advice.

            I was able to summarize my interview with Stewart Levy into three essential matters. The first legal matter addressed, was what Levy dubbed “The Garbage Truck Theory”, which, basically states that both parties need to have agreements in writings, “oral agreements are not substantial if one of the parties gets hit by a garbage truck.” Levy advised to have everything in writing, in plain, clear English. Agreements should state what the deal is, whom the parties involved are, specifically what is expected/needed, and a designated term. By taking precautions, personal liability will slightly decrease, but we must “be realistic” and get everything in writing.

            Next, Levy advised that we use should utilize our best judgment concerning deal making and future career growth, “do what makes sense”. Essentially you have to weigh every decision; “if money was no object and you were Bill Gates, you would have a legal staff, insurance, and corporations set up to limit liability, but your not, so we have to do what makes sense.” .” Therefore we have to do what “99% of the times” make sense. “You write in plain English what the deal is, establish use a in the market, start making money, and that is when you start paying money to protect your assets and interest.” There are always variables, but nonetheless, make wise decisions.

            Finally, Levy stated, “you’ve got to be in it to win it.” Before my interview with the New York City entertainment lawyer, he directed me to a very informative speech by Duke University alumnus, Bryan Unkeless, who was the producer and driving force behind ‘The Hunger Games’ movie. Much of my third essential element of the interview correlates directly with this insightful article “From Dressing a Pickle to MakingThe Hunger Games.”

Unkeless stresses the importance of being passionate in what you do, find something your passionate in “and then learn more about it. Then learn a little more about it. Then more.” Its important to remember that, education is for life and we must continue to learn. Unkeless said that the best way to further growth is by consuming “mass quantities of content — read, watch, figure out how other artists you respect do what they do.”

  With a realistic outlook and the fundamental legal advice I received, I am re-assured that success is attainable, it will take hard but necessary work, but in the end it’s a realistic possibility.

I will close with very fitting quote by a Nigerian lawyer, Gbenga Oyebode, who specializes international commercial law, “Life is a marathon, not a Sprint. It is not the fastest guy that achieves objectives, but it’s the guy who, over that marathon, is most consistent in trying to achieve his objectives.”